Blackwater State High School vs Pioneer State High School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in Queensland, 277 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Blackwater State High School
Blackwater · Government high school · 7-12
307 students · ICSEA 880
Pioneer State High School
Andergrove · Government high school · 7-12
536 students · ICSEA 875
| Measure | Blackwater State High School Blackwater QLD | Pioneer State High School Andergrove QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 16 Lower 50% | 16 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #262 of 269 | #263 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | #1449 of 1,472 | #1450 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 307 | 536 |
| Girls / boys | 128 / 179 | 267 / 269 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 61 | 107 |
| Year 12 cohort | 34 | 57 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -13% | -9% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 880 | 875 |
| ICSEA percentile | 7th | 7th |
| Top SEA quarter | 1% | 2% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 64% | 66% |
| Students per teacher | 9.1 | 11.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 33.8 | 47.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 18.2 | 31.0 |
| Language background other than English | 18% | 13% |
| Indigenous students | 26% | 35% |
| Suburb | Blackwater 4717 | Andergrove 4740 |
| Council area | Central Highlands (Qld) | Mackay |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | blackwatershs.eq.edu.au | pioneershs.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (16.4 vs 16.1).
- •Blackwater State High School has the higher ICSEA (880 vs 875), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Blackwater State High School has fewer students per teacher (9.1 vs 11.2).
- •Pioneer State High School is the larger school with 536 students compared with 307.
The Success Index summarises community advantage, resourcing and momentum from ACARA data. It does not measure teaching quality, results or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Blackwater State High School better than Pioneer State High School?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Blackwater State High School and Pioneer State High School?
About 277 km in a straight line, between Blackwater and Andergrove in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Blackwater State High School has 9.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Pioneer State High School has 11.2.
How do Blackwater State High School and Pioneer State High School rank in QLD?
Blackwater State High School is 262nd of 269 and Pioneer State High School is 263rd of 269 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.